Leishmaniasis: Opciones terapéuticas en la población pediátrica / Leishmaniasis: Therapeutic options in the pediatric population

Resumen La leishmaniasis es una enfermedad parasitaria crónica endémica en muchas partes del mundo. La variabilidad de cepas, su clínica y respuesta a tratamiento ha hecho que se clasifique en dos grandes grupos: la leishmaniasis del Nuevo Mundo y la del Viejo Mundo. Según esto, varían las recomendaciones respecto a manejo y seguimiento. En esta revisión se hace énfasis a la leishmaniasis de nuestro medio, revisando opciones terapéuticas y posibilidades principalmente en la población pediátrica.

Abstract Leishmaniasis is a chronic parasitic disease endemic in many parts of the world. The variability of strains, their clinic and response to treatment has led to their classification into two major groups: New World leishmaniasis and Old World leishmaniasis. According to this, the recommendations regarding management and follow-up vary. In this review, emphasis is placed on leishmaniasis in our environment, reviewing therapeutic options and possibilities mainly in the pediatric population.

Novel PCR primers to diagnose visceral leishmaniasis using peripheral blood, spleen or bone marrow aspirates

OBJECTIVE@#To establish a suitable method of diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) using peripheral blood, spleen or bone marrow aspirates.@*METHODS@#Peripheral blood, bone marrow and spleen aspirate samples were collected from clinically suspected VL patients (n = 26). A new PCR primer pair (MK1F/R) was designed targeting kinetoplast mini circle DNA sequences of Leishmania donovani, and Leishmania infantum, and was used to diagnose VL along with some other established primers for VL in polymerase chain reactions. Test was validated by comparing with several other diagnostic methods.@*RESULTS@#The designed primer set showed 100% specificity and 98% sensitivity in detecting VL using blood samples, when compared with more invasive samples: bone marrow or spleen aspirates.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The newly designed primer MK1F/R could be a better alternative for PCR based diagnosis of VL using less invasive sample, peripheral blood instead of bone marrow or spleen aspirates.

Novel PCR primers to diagnose visceral leishmaniasis using peripheral blood, spleen or bone marrow aspirates

Objective To establish a suitable method of diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) using peripheral blood, spleen or bone marrow aspirates. Methods Peripheral blood, bone marrow and spleen aspirate samples were collected from clinically suspected VL patients (n = 26). A new PCR primer pair (MK1F/R) was designed targeting kinetoplast mini circle DNA sequences of Leishmania donovani, and Leishmania infantum, and was used to diagnose VL along with some other established primers for VL in polymerase chain reactions. Test was validated by comparing with several other diagnostic methods. Results The designed primer set showed 100% specificity and 98% sensitivity in detecting VL using blood samples, when compared with more invasive samples: bone marrow or spleen aspirates. Conclusions The newly designed primer MK1F/R could be a better alternative for PCR based diagnosis of VL using less invasive sample, peripheral blood instead of bone marrow or spleen aspirates.

Analysis of Leishmania Species and Strains from China by RAPD Technique / 中国寄生虫学与寄生虫病杂志

Objective To analyze genetic relationship of Leishmania species and strains from China by RAPD technique. Methods DNAs from Leishmania strains, including L donovani(L d.) isolates from patients, dogs and sandflies of three different foci in China and international reference strains, were amplified by seven random primers. The DNA polymorphic bands detected were analyzed by clustering analysis with SPSS software. Results ① L d . isolates from hill and plain foci in China were divided into two groups. The genetic distance of L d .isolates is distant between them. ② L d .XJ771, L d .XJ901, L d .XJ801 from desert, vicinity of desert, and plain regions in Xinjiang were in the same group.It indicated that the genetic distance among L d .isolates from the three regions is close. ③ L d .isolated from VL patients and dogs in hill foci could not be discriminated distintly, showing high homology between them. ④ L d .DD8 from India,the reference strain of plain type,was clustered with L d .isolates from plain foci in China.It provided scientific basis for the viewpoint "Kala Azar from east area of China is similar to that from India". ⑤ L infantum and L d .isolates from hill foci in China were clustered into different groups. ⑥ The genetic distance is close between L d .isolates from plain foci in China and L d .Jed;⑦ L infantum and L tropica showed the closest genetic distance. Conclusion Differences at genetic level exist in Leishmania isolates from different foci in China.